Tier 2 (Sportsperson or Minister of Religion) visa

What is a Tier 2 (Sportsperson) visa?

You can apply for a Tier 2 (Sportsperson) visa if you are an elite sportsperson or qualified coach from outside the EEA or Switzerland. You must be recognised by your sport’s governing body as being at the highest level of your profession. Your sport’s governing body must endorse your application.

What is a Tier 2 (Minister of Religion) visa?

You can apply for a Tier 2 Minister of Religion visa if you’ve been offered a job within a faith community in the UK, and you are from outside the EEA and Switzerland. You must have a licensed sponsor in the UK, and you cannot own more than 10% of their shares.

If you want to read about other Tier 2 visas, click here.

Eligibility

For a sportsperson visa, there are a number of eligibility requirements. Firstly, you will need a Certificate of Sponsorship. You must also be able to prove that you speak English. You must also have £945 in your bank account for 90 days before the date of your application. You will not need this if you already have a Tier 2 visa and are applying from within the UK.

For a Minister of Religion, there are a number of eligibility requirements. Firstly, you will need to be sponsored by one of the 30,000 licensed companies in the UK that can sponsor a Tier 2 application. You must also be able to prove that you speak English. You must also have £945 in your bank account for 90 days before the date of your application. You will not need this if you already have a Tier 2 visa and are applying from within the UK.

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How long can I stay?

Under Tier 2, you can apply for Entry Clearance or for Leave to Remain.

For Entry Clearance applications, you can arrive in the UK up to 14 days before your start date. With a Tier 2 (Sportsperson) visa or a Tier 2 (Minister of Religion) visa, you can come to the UK for whichever is shorter between the period of your employment contract plus 1 month, or 3 years plus 1 month based on the job start date.

For Leave to Remain applications for a Tier 2 (Sportsperson) visa or a Tier 2 (Minister of Religion) visa, you can be granted leave to remain in the UK for whichever is shorter between the period of your employment contract plus 14 days, or 3 years. However, the leave you are granted will not put your total leave under the Tier 2 (Sportsperson) or the Tier 2 (Minister of Religion) visa, including previous leave, over 6 years.